Novice16737

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Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 15:53

I haven't read all the other replies so my apologies if I repeat what others have already said. What we did with my DS since the first night was to keep him in a quiet room with the lights dimmed after 7 or 8pm, only whisper when talking to him and basically keep things fairly boring. When feeding, nappy changing, soothing him etc. just use the minimum light you need to get by and be as quiet as you can. He got the day/night message pretty quickly. Even when waking at night, he has always settled back to sleep pretty quickly.... It took me a lot longer to get the hang of daytime sleep though. My DS used to take mini cat naps pretty much constantly, anywhere, anytime until he was about 4 months old. But he never slept for more than 15 mins at a time during the day. I thought this was normal and to be honest it was quite convenient. Then one day I came across an article detailing the signs of tiredness and realised I have been letting my DS get overtired every day. From then on I started putting him down in his cot as soon as he rubbed his eyes or yawned for the first time, or started getting cranky (when I knew he wasn't hungry). He became a much happier baby within days.

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Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 15:33

Marion, my DS is the same, cannot sleep when he sees others in the room. When travelling we normally have to "hide" until he is asleep. One of us spends some time in the bathroom and the other reads a book on the balcony or something. Later at night when we are asleep we don't bother him as it is dark and he cannot see anything. I am pretty sure that cloth covering the cot sides would not fool my DS and he would probably be unable to get any rest until he has yanked it off or stood up to see what he is missing out on! So if your DD is still small and not yet pulling up keep in mind that this trick may not work forever! Happy travelling :)

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Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 15:25

Thanks for the tips ladies. Have been struggling to find any cheap or small toys here in Doha though.... everything seems to be huge, noisy and overpriced. Just like the ones we already have ;) Taking a small torch, roll of sticky tape, small cheap alarm clock, wallet stuffed with worthless cards & old receipts, maybe a balloon or two, lots of snacks (will take one of those snack holders, thanks for the tip), a couple of lift the flap books.. and hoping for the best. Sleepless night last night, keep thinking "OMG"! The upside is, my expectations are so low that DS is sure to exceed them (well, let's hope so!) ;) Good luck to all the others travelling soon!

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Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 15:05

Any others struggling to change #1's nappies while pregnant with #2? I'm 9 weeks pregnant and have to change about 5 stinky poop napies per day and even though it never bothered me before I really struggle with them now. Usually end up bent over and gagging for a couple of minutes. My DS thinks it's a game and have started mimicking the gagging and laughing - he loves it when I entertain him with funny noises ;) Any tips / remedies?

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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 18:23

DS and I are flying 'home' to visit the grandparents in 2 days time. It's a long 11 hour daytime flight and he will not have his own seat. We have reserved a bassinet seat so at least will have a bit of extra space for what it's worth.... Basically, if I don't have an empty seat next to me (and even if I do), I don't know how we will survive the flight! Am terrified. And - great timing! - for the past couple of days he has suddenly been really impossible. Let me put it this way, he will not sit on my lap. Don't know how I will restrain him for takeoff never mind the rest of the flight. He is suddenly refusing to sit in his stroller and car seat and even on my hip (unless he is insisting on being on my hip, then it's different ;)). Manages to stand up in his stroller despite the seat belt so my arms will not be much of a challenge. He wants to walk but is still in that early walking phase where he stumbles around in circles like a drunk man, stopping to investigate every crack in the floor or whatever. If I hold his hand, he just diggs his heels in and tries to pull me where he wants to go like a puppy, he refuses to come with me. So, basically, his options are the stroller or the stroller. We tried shoes on him in a store yesterday and the minute he sensed the oportunity he was off & away, I had to go catch him outside the shop, he was so angry, screaming and kicking. Then I couldn't get him back into the stroller and the shop assistant helped me just to get us out of her store as the customers were staring. He insists on opening every tap and pressing every switch he sees, and playing with every mobile / purse / other inappropriate object or he screams and screams. I have basically no control over him other than giving him what he wants whenever possible. Distraction is not working at the moment. He isn't usually like this..!?! Please give me survival & packing tips for the long flight, I am desperate.

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Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 09:10

I used Aptamil - as lots of other mums seemed to use it and my baby liked it. Doctor recommended S26 gold but it gave my baby awful wind.

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Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 09:08

I also used a handheld stick/immersion blender for purees and really recommend it. And once you're done with purees (I only did purees for a couple of weeks) it is still handy around the kitchen for soups etc. Also had a special baby food chopper which I received as a gift and would rather go for the stick blender. Wow Kiwispears, I think my baby (and his father) want to move to your house - slow cooked lamb shanks with minted pea puree!! My little guy is lucky to get macaroni cheese :)

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Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 09:01

Try Babyshop...

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Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 09:00

I usually go to Doha Clinic as our insurance doesn't cover Al Ahli. They don't do appointments, only walk ins. Have never had to wait too long.

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 14:54

I don't think that there is a rule of both spouses working. In my case, the government only got details from DH workplace. Only my RP was needed, none of my working details / salary slips, nothing was required. However, there might be a total salary minimum government is looking for. I really really hope you are right because we're hoping to sponsor a maid later this year and only my husband is working. This 'new law' has been discussed before on this forum and others but as with any law in Qatar it is nearly impossible to find an official source anywhere....

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 14:41

Poor you, the head banging thing must be really awful. But unfortunately, you also deserve to get a good night's sleep now and again, and if you give up now, that is unlikely to happen anytime soon. And my understanding is that it's not going to get any easier when she gets older so if I were you I would really try to persevere with some form of sleep training now, even if it's hard... We sleep trained my DS at 11.5 months and our only two rules were 1)Don't take him out of his cot and 2)No milk, only water. No x minutes y minutes recipe. Why don't you try that? We went into his room when he woke, talked to him, made sure he was comfortable & offered him water.... but during the night, unless he's ill, and yes even if he cries, he stays in his cot and that's that. Within a week he was waking only once per night and within less than a month he was sleeping through the night, every night. I leave him a sippy cup full of water and two dummies in his cot every night and he evidently helps himself to those if/when he wakes at night (the sippy is often empty in the morning). And this is a little guy that used to wake every hour or two hours maximum for a mini feed until shortly before his first birthday. I think the sleep training was easier than we expected, but to be honest I was so sleep deprived by that point that I have only vague fuzzy memories of the process... :) Just try imagining how great you and your daughter will both feel after a full night's sleep! Or how miserable you will both feel when you reach her 2nd birthday, still sleepless! Do you have blackout curtains and a night light? I really recommend it. I introduced both around the same time as the sleep training and think it really helped. I think the blackouts help them realize that it's nighttime (i.e. sleeping time) as soon as they wake at night which (once they are sleep trained) stops them from getting into a fully awake state... but the night light stops them from feeling scared and disorientated when they do wake in the dark. I also always put everything (sippy cup, dummies, mr. bunny etc) in exactly the same place in his cot every night so that he can find it easily if he needs to... good luck.

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 14:04

Maybe buy a liquid vitamin and add it to his milk?

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 14:03

I don't have any advice, only sympathy, my DS who will be 15 months this week goes through a phase like this every 2nd week and it really is very tiring. They are all teething constantly at this age... plus the change of environment and weaning probably have him feeling a bit insecure and off his game for the moment. Hope he gets over it soon! My DS is very whiney and clingy at the moment and would be permanently attached to my hip if he had a choice. Haha I actually thought it was because he is bored at home in the boiling gulf heat and hoped he would get over it when we visit the grandparents in cooler climes next week. But now your post is making me wonder if things will be even worse over there!!! Good luck :)

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 13:50

Took me about 6 months to decide on a stroller & car seat so good luck! I love love love my Inglesina Zippy Free, and the matching carry cot which we used for the first 3 months (DS even slept in it at night for the first month). Other mums always ooh and aah about my stroller, it really is very sturdy, even with lots of bags & a shopping basket hanging off the handle bars it is nearly impossible to knock it over, yet it has the easiest fold I have ever seen.... 1 second, 1 hand. I also have a Mclaren Triumph and to be honest I never bother using it as the Inglesina folds nearly as small, is only marginally heavier, easier to fold, and much more comfortable and sturdier. And the seat is easily reversible so baby can face you or the street! Sadly I wasn't crazy about the matching car seat and for my next baby I will get a Maxi Cosi like everyone else. There is a reason why those are so popular! I don't think having a travel system is that important and prefer to just leave my car seat in the car to be honest and just lift baby out into a carry cot or pram. Apparently it is bad for their backs to sit in car seats for any length of time so no idea why it is so normal to push babies around in car seats in the malls for hours! Good luck.

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 12:47

I see them everywhere - even Lulu Gharaffa and Shoe City in Landmark stock them. But the sizes and colours available are a bit random so you may have to look around for a while to find exactly what you want.

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 12:44

We were in Doha last week and decided to go for a glass of wine at the Ramada, so we left our hire car at our (dry) hotel and caught a taxi there and back - standard procedure here in UAE. Taxi was very cheap! But the point is, we were told by someone living in Doha that there was no need to do that - they were quite tolerant of a glass of wine before driving. Is this true??? DH's colleague was just sentenced to a month in prison for a drink driving offence so... no, it isn't true!

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Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 12:43

My baby & I also came to Doha on visit visas (DH already had his RP) which were later converted into residence permits... so even if your husband cannot get you residence status immediately you could come still join him on a visit visa & just wait a bit longer for your residence permits. Our visit visas had already expired by the time we received our RPs but we paid no fines and did not have to have them extended, they said as long as you start the residence permit application process by the time the visa expires it is no problem. (If you're really desperate you might even be able to organise a tourist visa for your maid and have her join you sooner although strictly speaking she would be working illegally then?????) Two things nobody else has mentioned: 1)We could only apply for my son's residence permit once mine was approved. We did apply for his RP at the same time as mine, but it was rejected and we had to reapply once mine was stamped in my passport. Go figure. 2)Technically you can only sponsor your maid once you have started working. At the moment they are making it difficult for couples to sponsor maids if only one of them is working. This is up to the discretion of whoever processes your application for a maids visa. Some people are lucky, others not....

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Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 14:50

Bought mine at H&M...

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Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 14:49

I can 100% recommend a moulded bath like this for a newborn: http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Child-Care/Bathtubs/Details/2168-44085-Infant-to-Toddler-Bathtub It is small and moulded and you can have both hands free as baby's head is raised out of the water. It doesn't take a lot of water so not very heavy even when full. I could fill it and carry it myself - easily - and I'm a wimp. Put it on the kitchen counter or on a table in front of the window so that baby could enjoy some sunlight while bathing. DS loved bathing in it from day 1 and felt safe and secure lying in it, not overwhelmed by water... We found that the tub became a bit snug after 3 months (so not sure how they can call it an infant-to-toddler tub) and moved on to a bath support in the big bathtub then. Personally I would not feel comfortable bathing a new baby in the big tub as would just not feel in control bending down while bathing such a delicate little creature. Has to be a comfortable 'countertop' height for me. And would worry too much about hitting the taps if using a sink or basin, babies are slippery!!! I was taught by the nurses at hospital to wash a newborn's hair while holding him in one arm over the bath, with your hand supporting his neck, while you rinse the hair with the other hand (not sure how everyone else does it?). And there is no way I could do that over a low big tub or sink! We used to get the hair washing out of the way first and then put him in the moulded tub for a relaxing bath and that worked for us. In the first year we moved through 4 bath gadgets 1)the moulded bathtub for 3 months, then 2)the molded bath support in big bath for another 4 months 3)then the Mothercare Aquapod for 2 months.... finally DS started escaping from the 'pod' so we just started putting him on a non-slip bathmat in the tub at 9 or 10 months. <em>edited by Novice on 07/07/2011</em>

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Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 14:30

Novice, week 1 starts with the first day of your period. Even when there's no baby! :) It's the standard practice as it makes assessing the due dates simple :) And congratulations to you too! Thanks :) I'm still in shock about the whole '2 under 2' thing! Not entirely planned! Expected my period about 2 weeks ago and did a pregnancy test when it didn't arrive, which was positive. Although my last couple of cycles were a bit off and I'm not sure about any dates... I'm still surprised to be 8 weeks already.

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Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 16:24

I just read (am also newly pregnant so busy dusting off all my pregnancy books) that in the first 12 weeks all babies grow at exactly the same pace and are nearly exactly the same size, so it may be that you didn't ovulate when you thought you did, especially if your period is not regular like clockwork and often out by a week. I'm no expert but would think that either your ovulation date, or the Dr's measurements (human error), are more likely to be the problem at this early stage than the baby's growth.... I can absolutely relate because I just had my first scan yesterday and was shocked to be told that I was more than 8 weeks along which means that the baby must have been conceived straight after my last period???? I thought I was 7 weeks or maybe even 6 weeks :) My last 2 periods were out by about a week and I stupidly did not make a note of the dates (as we were not actually TTC ;)) so I cannot say for sure that the dates are out, but I also have my doubts. Part of me is actually tempted to go to another doctor to see if he/she comes up with the same dates... miss the fantastic doctor I had in Dubai! I suppose the due date can still be corrected when we go for the 12 week scan?????? Or... hmm, am also confused now :) Let us know how it goes.

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Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 13:17

Sure UAE2012 I am in a lentil mood at the moment so always keen to try a new soup recipe, please share.

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Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 13:15

I bought a gadget on the sale at Homecenter for keeping herbs fresh and surprisingly it actually works. It's like a standing flower vase with lid, you pour water in a hole in the lid and stand it in the fridge.

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Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 13:09

I wouldn't get too hung up about the precise definition of BLW. Just feed your LO the way that works best for both of you, you don't have to follow anyone's rules. I intended to do BLW but ended up introducing purees as BLW progressed very slowly initially and we both found mealtimes a bit frustrating around 7 months. He enjoyed being spoonfed for a while, so gave him both finger & spoon food at each meal. Then around 8 months he really got the hang of eating finger food and started refusing the spoon. So, from then on I only gave him finger food. My DS is very picky though with regards to what he picks up and doesn't like having dirty, gooey fingers. So he has always picked 'dry' food up himself but if its 'wet' slimey food like banana slices or cream cheese he resists touching it and I often pop it in his mouth like Kiwispears says, that is what he prefers and it works for us. Around 14 months he started showing interest in the spoon again and one of his favourite foods is plain yoghurt now. He sometimes tries to hold the spoon himself but is clearly not ready to spoonfeed himself independently so mostly I spoonfeed him his yoghurt at the end of his finger food meals, while he plays around with a second spoon, that is what works for us at the moment. So, I just followed my baby's lead but according to the BLW pursists I am sure what we did does not constitute baby led weaning - and you know what, it doesn't really matter! Just go with the flow. If, for example, he likes being fed his cereal in the morning and then has finger foods for lunch and dinner - why not? :) <em>edited by Novice on 06/07/2011</em>

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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 14:39

Nepal? Sri Lanka? :)

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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 13:00

If it helps, I had my baby in Dubai and joined DH in Doha when he was 5 weeks old. Left as soon as the passport & paperwork was sorted out. It was only a short flight but I would not hesitate doing a longer flight with a small baby. He didn't even notice anything unusual during the flight or the move. Evidently suffered no ear pressure pain during take off or landing. Could still fall asleep pretty much anywhere at that age, including on mummy. All he wanted was milk and sleep, and he was happy anywhere. Very easy.

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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 12:44

DS was "sleeping through" from 10pm to 5am from 7 weeks until about 4 months. Then the good times ended and he started waking hourly every night until his first birthday! Sleeping through the night properly from 8pm until 7am (sometimes even longer) since about 12 and a half months.

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 22:16

I guess you have tried Annabel Karmel's recipes already? Most of them are great. Also love this blog for ideas: http://blog.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/ I used to make stews for my baby - e.g. lamb or lentil - with butternut / apple / veggies / pasta/whatever... and a few pinches of cumin, cinamon etc. and puree it. Also low salt bolognese sauce, pureed, with small soft cooked pasta pieces stirred in... Or... you could just give baby whatever the family is having for dinner, blended / mashed / finely chopped, provided that it's low in salt and other nasties. There is a Baby & Toddler forum on this site where everyone would love to give you baby food advice :)

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 21:45

Apparently some doctors advise against follow on formula and advise mothers to continue with Stage 1 formula until 12 months. If your baby doesn't liked SMA 1 but not SMA 2 I would just continue with SMA 1 a bit longer.... don't think there is any urgent reason to switch to Stage 2. Or try different brands and see what she prefers... my baby was on Aptamil 1 and then NAN 2; we discovered by chance that he loved NAN 2 when we ran out of formula while travelling... once solids have been introduced at 6 months I don't think switching formula brands is such a big deal anymore.... good luck.

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:14

Oh no....... anyone? :)

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:13

Sleeping bag for camping, or Gro bag type of sleeping bag?

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:11

Hi there, Im a 34 single female who lived and worked in dubai for the past 9 years, i'm looking for a new challenge and quick change in my professional career, and I was offered two positions one in doha and one in muscat starting August 1st. I decided to go ahead with the offer in Doha, but im so much upset with the rental cost, is there any reason why its so expensive ? in dubai 1br apprt (equivalent to the pearl standart) is about 5500 QR/month... in doha, the studio is 9000 QR... Could you please let me know if there are short term leasing (3months)with a budget of 5000/month dhs? Any advises will be more than welcome... Cheers xxx Sandra, where have you been apartment hunting? I don't really know apartment rents here but for QR9000 you could rent a 3 bedroom villa in my compound which is not bad and near Villagio... :) so I'd be very surprised if a basic studio apartment costs the same. Or do you want to live only on the pearl or in west bay? Have you done a search on Qatarliving etc?

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:05

Went to Lulu yesterday... stared and stared at the vacuum cleaners. Wanted to get the bagless LG but it is QR500 whereas the bagless electrolux is QR200 and the LG with bag is QR150. Asked the sales guy what the difference was, hoping he would try to sell me the most expensive one, but his explanation was, "Electrolux is a French brand made in China, LG is a Korean brand made in China, so same same, no difference" (I really don't get the importance people here place on the country of manufacture). My 1 year old started getting cranky and I left empty handed. So still vacuum cleaner shopping, argh! CSH is Al Mushiri a store? Easy to spot? Never heard of this brand before. And is Dyson available in Qatar and if yes, where and how expensive exactly?

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 13:05

Our travel cot is too big & heavy (nearly 10kg... and have shopped around for a lighter one but they all seem similarly heavy?) to take everywhere so we tend to use the cots provided by hotels (which often are travel cots as well). We have never encountered a filthy one, but I do always take a clean cot sheet along just in case. Even in affordable hotels in Sri Lanka and a state run national park in South Africa the cots have always been fine... If you have done your research on the hotel and it gets good reviews etc. you can probably be pretty sure that their cot will be fine too. Just always double and tripple check that they will provide a cot.

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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 11:11

I don't think a time difference of 2 hours would be a problem. My DS normally adjusts to the time difference by the time he gets off the plane. But I have never travelled anywhere with him with a difference of more than 4 hours so my sympathies to Kiwi and Shelly :) I just put him to bed at the normal time (e.g. 7 p.m. local time if he normally goes to bed at 7 p.m. at home) and have never had any problems. In fact the time difference does not even worry me anymore, what DOES always worry me however is the different bed, different room, level of darkness etc. and how that would affect his sleep. But so far he has always adapted fine. Try not to worry and enjoy your trip :)

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Latest post on 02 July 2011 - 10:00

I agree with DubaiCat. My baby also started waking every 1 or 2 hours somewhere between 4 and 6 months. I was feeling very low & exhausted but thought it was a phase that would pass... in the end it carried on until shortly before his 1st birthday, when we sleep trained him. I was dreading the sleep training but it was so quick & easy that I was kicking myself for not having done it months earlier. If your baby has only been waking like this for a week, maybe give him another couple of weeks to see if he gets over it himself, and if not, consider doing something about it :)

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Latest post on 01 July 2011 - 15:59

And yes it is extremely annoying that we pay the same fee as Dubai, yet they get delivery and we have to go pick it up ourselves!!! I complained at the Aramex office and they claimed it was because there are many more S&S customers in Doha than Dubai. Which I don't believe at all!!! :)

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Latest post on 01 July 2011 - 15:57

Hope you don't mind if I jump on board. I am interested in opening an Aramex S&S account too. But I read on the Dubai forum that many US & UK retailers don't accept locally issued credit cards and/or do not deliver to forwarding addresses. Do the experienced Shop & Shippers mind sharing with us which stores/websites they have successfully ordered from using Shop & Ship and a Qatar issued credit card? And which stores/websites gave you problems? Also, how long does it normally take, from ordering online, until receiving notification from Aramex that the package has arrived? I need to order something from Mothercare UK but am worried it won't arrive before my travel date. Thanks :)

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Latest post on 30 June 2011 - 20:01

Never heard of any. There is prenatal yoga though...

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Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 12:39

Thanks for all the replies ladies. Much appreciated and am feeling a bit calmer after reading them all. We weren't planning to have our children so close together but the fact that so many of you have lived to tell the tale gives me hope! :) Dubaicat and Mover Sheikha, glad I'm not alone. I think being in denial is way better than sheer terror so will work towards that! Look forward to hearing how things go for you in those first few months! Am sure I'll be back over the next few months with more panicky posts and questions about things like double strollers and car seat allignment... Snowgal, very relevant advice for me as I've always been a fan of budget travel :)

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Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 12:18

Congratulations Farasha, and welcome Baby Farasha!

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Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 12:17

My DS started refusing the spoon around 8 months and is only accepting it again now, at 14 months (and making up for last time by eating litres of yoghurt & cereal ;)). He has been living off only milk & finger foods all these months. I was upset at first and tried everything to get the spoon back into favour, then got used to finger foods and realised that it is actually easier in a way to just let them eat themselves ;) Some finger foods that my picky DS actually ate (well, sometimes!) included: Eggs (if you have introduced eggs) - My DS finds scrambled eggs disgusting, but he loves a fried egg (turned over), cubed. Cubed french toast is another hit. Yum. Cheerios ;) - Dont worry he will get bored of it eventually. When he has more teeth you can also give him broken weetabix etc. Unsalted rice cakes. They really melt in the mouth so good for small babies. There are also flavoured organic baby rice cakes. Later you can try bread sticks, crackers (just read the label for salt content) or those organix puffs (if you're comfortable with the concept). And the little rounds of long life pumpernickel bread. Fruit pieces (if my DS had a choice, he would live only on fruit)- almost anything that is soft & very ripe. Strawberries, pear, melon, peach, quartered grapes, kiwi, plum etc etc. Apple pieces - initially soft cooked, now he eats them raw. Pineaple & orange, after 1 year. Those tiny Indian mini bananas eaten whole, he hates sliced banana & avo as it's too slimy. Soft dried apricot pieces (if they're a bit tough, boil them!) Vegetables - boiled or roasted sweet potato cubes, soft boiled baby carrots / carot slices, my DS loves raw quartered cherry tomatoes and cucumber pieces now that he is 1. Frozen mixed vegetables (carrot, pea, green bean & corn) cooked very soft Chickpeas - soft cooked. Peel & squash a little for young babies to reduce the choking risk. Cheese - small cubes of almost any cheese. Annabel karmel finger foods - Chicken & apple balls; Mini meatballs, Chicken nuggets (cut into tiny pieces), banana muffins etc etc, most of her stuff is pretty good and firm on the outside but soft on the inside. Make big batches & freeze. If your DS likes cheerios, shape or cut everything as small as you can. Pasta - try those multicoloured Carrefour kids pasta wheels, my DS loves them. They look very cheerio like ;) His all time favourite is plain pasta with butter and a little grated parmesan stirred in. You can also try "Macaroni cheese" with the same pasta shapes, chilled (so that it sets). My DS doesn't like tomato sauce etc as they make his hands yucky ;) Overcook the pasta! Table food cut into small pieces - whatever is gummable & low in salt from your plates e.g. tiny chicken pieces, fish pieces, veggies... Toast/sandwiches/pitas/quesadillas - plain with butter or add a little marmite... or try grilled avo & cheese,cheese & tomato, tuna mayo, apple & cheese etc etc. Melted cheese helps to hold things together so you can cut it up into little pieces ;) Mini muffins / fritters / pancakes etc. - if you google you will find lots of reciped for mini muffins/fritters/pancakes/frittatas etc. containing veggies & fruit. DS & I aren't big fans but your DD might like it. As already mentioned below, even if she refuses the spoon, she may allow you to pop finger food into her mouth with your hand. I still do this when the food is saucy or slimey as he doesn't like to touch it. And just keep trying the spoon, eventually she will accept it again! This website is really great for finger food ideas for babies: http://blog.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/tag/finger-food/

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Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 10:32

Has anyone seen this anywhere? Thanks :)

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Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 11:14

If it is a night flight I put my baby in whatever he normally sleeps in, pyjamas and sleeping bag, to keep things as normal as possible.

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Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 11:11

Yes that is pretty frightening. I don't really understand their point, wouldn't the baby be just as likely to be injured if the mother had been in the passenger seat? It's not as if the motheris judgement or eyesight is affected by pregnancy. I drove myself to the doctor while in early labour, and she gave me permission to drive myself back home again. She said as long as I felt able to drive, I could go ahead and drive!

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Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 11:05

Thanks for the responses ladies - well it turns out I wasn't just imagining the symptoms. Definitely pregnant, and looks like there will be a 22 month age gap or 23 months maximum. OMG! Still sinking in. Judging by your responses it sounds as if there is some pretty hard work ahead with such a small age gap! So please wish us luck :)

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 12:45

I agree with 007elbow (sorry cchoda)... I wouldn't bother with a driver. My elderly father in law, from a small rural village in germany, drives here when he visits and has never complained, had an accident or gotten lost.... in fact he really enjoys it! And I myself drive here every day and am usually a very timid driver. It will take you only 1 hour to get used to it, and there is no better time to get behind the wheel for the first time than a Friday morning when the roads are quiet. It really isn't that bad. And if you're moving here you will have to drive sooner or later so you may as well get your first taste now.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 12:15

There is no ideal water solution for formula in this region. I have no regrets at all about using bottled water for my baby's formula, at least you can read the label of the bottle for the mineral content, whereas you can never be sure what exactly is in the tap water. I don't even use tap water for my own tea. If you are worried about the mineral content and are using water from properly sealed bottles you can consider not boiling the water as that further increases the mineral content. As I said, no ideal solution here. You could use special baby water but that would work out very expensive. Please read this recent link from Arabian Business regarding the safety of water in the UAE. I would really not give tap water here to my baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-warns-residents-over-drinking-water-46463.html

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 17:17

T-shirt is fine - just cover your knees, cleavage & shoulders (and avoid anything transpartent or skin-tight) and you should be fine. Are you only staying for one day? Pretty much everything in Doha is closed until 4pm on a Friday, except for a couple of malls, so you are unlikely to get a real feeling for the city. If this look-see will be a serious part of your decision making process I would try to extend or reschedule it. Bwahaha we viewed our villa on a Friday, seemed lovely and quiet, when we came back to move in we realized the quiet road behind it is more like a busy highway - we don't use our outside area at all, it is too noisy! Good luck!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 14:05

DH and I decided long ago that we would start trying for #2 when DS was 14 months old so that there could be a gap of 2 to 3 years between babies, allowing a year or so to fall pregnant. We're only planning to have 2. Now DS is 14 months and I am imagining pregnancy symptoms and having a panic attack about it. Realising that DS and I may not be ready for this and wondering if we should wait another 6 months before considering #2. I love DS so much but he is a very clingy baby, used to being the centre of ALL my attention (cannot fry an egg, or type an e-mail, unless he is sleeping... he would cry at my feet until I stopped and picked him up... ;)), and I did not find the first year of being a mum easy at all (in fact I think I was in shock ;)). My entire day revolves around DS from morning till night and I cannot imagine multitasking a newborn and toddler each needing 100% attention 24/7. My heart just breaks at the thought of DS being faced with another baby in our home demanding 50% of my attention suddenly, how rejected he may feel etc. etc. On the other hand he just looooooves being around other children and I often feel sorry for him being stuck at home with only boring me. I have only 1 sibling who is 5 years younger than me and I always wished that I had a sibling closer in age to play with rather than being a little "assistant mum". My mother on the other hand had had narrowly spaced siblings on both sides and purposefully spaced her 2 far apart so that we could have the individual attention which she always felt she missed out on! So I know there are arguments for and against. Also, I am a stay at home mum now but would like to go back to work at some point, perhaps when #2 is 18 months or so, so from that perspective it would also make sense not to wait too long to have #2. Now my question is, is there any argument for waiting another 6 months before thinking about #2? Does a 30 month old handle a new sibbling better than a 24 month old? Is there a big difference between a 24 month old and a 30 month old, I am thinking of things like already being in their big bed, being potty trained, being less clingy and more independent etc? I have no idea as I don't really know older toddlers and am just learning along with DS as he grows up, 1 month at a time. Like I said on an emotional level I don't feel ready for another baby but I have a feeling that won't change any time soon, if I had waited to feel 'ready' for #1 I would have waited forever instead of having DS at age 32 like I did! I am not really the type to feel "ready" for the unknown, so have to try to make a rational decision about the timing or there may be no decision at all. Would really appreciate your wisdom.... Mums of 2 or more, what was your experience... mums of 1, what are you planning to do? Thanks :)

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